Kamusi ya Kiswahili
Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences
/ˈhumu/
English: Demonstrative adjective "this inside place"
Humu³ darasani tunazungumza Kiswahili.
In this classroom we speak Swahili.
/huˈmusi/
English: One-fifth (fraction)
Alitoa humusi¹ ya mapato kusaidia yatima.
He gave one-fifth of his income to help orphans.
/huˈmusi/
English: The one-fifth given as alms/tax (Islamic)
Humusi² hutolewa kama sehemu ya zaka.
The one-fifth is given as a form of almsgiving.
/ˈhundi/
English: Bank draft; cheque
Alilipwa kupitia hundi ya benki.
He was paid via a bank cheque.
/ˈhuni/
English: To behave contrary to norms; to act indecently/uncivilly
Usihuni kwenye mkutano wa hadhara.
Don't behave indecently at the public meeting.
/ˈhuni/
English: To skip/avoid going somewhere; to loiter about aimlessly
Alikuwa akihuni badala ya kwenda darasani.
He was loitering instead of going to class.
/ˈhunθa/
English: Person with both male and female sexual organs (intersex)
Huntha¹ anahitaji uelewa na heshima kutoka kwa jamii.
An intersex person needs understanding and respect from society.
/ˈhunθa/
English: Having both female and male organs
Kiumbe huyo huntha² alizaliwa na tofauti za kibiolojia.
That intersex organism was born with biological differences.
/huˈnudi/
English: A fool; a simpleton
Usimwite mtu hunudi—ni matusi.
Don't call someone a simpleton—that's insulting.
/ˈhuo/
English: Demonstrative pronoun (distant, singular class u-/i-): "that"
Upepo huo¹ una nguvu sana.
That wind is very strong.
/ˈhuo/
English: Demonstrative adjective (distant, singular): "that"
Mti huo² umeanguka.
That tree has fallen.
/huˈrafa/
English: Fable/animal tale; story giving animals human traits
Tulimsikiliza bibi akisimulia hurafa za kale.
We listened to grandma tell old fables.
/huˈreː/
English: Exclamation of cheer/celebration ("hooray!")
Huree! Timu yetu imeshinda.
Hooray! Our team has won.
/ˈhuri/
English: Celestial maiden/beauty (Islamic imagery)
Washairi walimtaja kama huri wa peponi.
The poets described her as a maiden of paradise.
/huˈria/
English: Free; having the liberty to act
Mwananchi huria¹ ana haki ya kutoa maoni.
A free citizen has the right to express opinions.
/huˈria/
English: Without restriction; unbounded
Majadiliano yalikuwa huria² kwa wote.
The discussion was open to all.
/huˈria/
English: A free person (not enslaved)
Baada ya kuachiwa, alikua huria³.
After being released, he became a free person.
/ˈhuru/
English: Free; independent; not ruled/controlled
Nchi huru¹ inaamua sera zake yenyewe.
A free nation decides its own policies.
/ˈhuru/
English: A freed person; one released from slavery
Baada ya kutekwa miaka mingi, alirudi akiwa huru².
After many years in captivity, he returned a free person.
/ˈhuru/
English: A nun (woman under religious vows)
Huru³ huyo hutumia muda mwingi katika huduma za jamii.
That nun spends much of her time in community service.
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